Barrel-machine



(No Model.) 2 S11eets-Sheet 1.

L. M. GREIF. BARREL MACHINE.

ATTORNEYS.

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(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 2. I

L. M`. GREIF. BARREL MACHINE.

No. 595,565 Patented Deo; l 4, l 897.

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UNITED STATES ATENT I Fries.

LOUIS M. GREIF, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

BARREL-MACHINE.l

\ SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 595,565, dated December 14, 1897.

Application filed March l, 1897.

-v description of the invention, such as will ening to my invention.

. tion, of the headsupporterable others skilled in the art to which it per` tains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to the primary formation of barrels, casks, or containers; and 'it' consistsv in the construction of a machine whereby said casks, barrels, or containers may be economically set up prior to the forming of the cask itself.

My invention consists in a machine wherein the staves as they are-placed may be set, not only in their proper relation one to the other, but also in such relation to the barrel, cask, or container thatthe result will be a cask or container wherein the staves are not only properly joined at their joints or matching edges, but wherein the parts forming the barrel or the staves may be quickly set up, gaged, and trussed.

In the drawings, Figure I is -a View in front elevation of a machine constructed accord- Fig. II is a vertical section taken through the same. Fig. III is a view in side elevation of my machine. Fig.

IV is a plan view in cross-section of my ma-y chine. Fig. V illustrates the bilge-support with the pin-carrying plate removed. Fig.

VI is an inverted plan of the plate shown in Fig. V. Fig. VII is a view in longitudinal vertical section of the mechanism employed to expand and contract the bilge-supporter. Fig. VIII is a view in elevation, partly in sec- Fig. IX illustrates the manner of elevating the head-supporter so as to support the head in proper position that it may atv its edges enter the chimes of the staves.

In the drawings, A represents the base or support of lmy device, which consists of a dome-shaped center part with a cencentric flange A at its lower end, the dome A acting at a a2 as bearings for shafts b b. 4

B represents a platform which is supported bymeans of shaft b. This platform B acts to level or support the lower end of the stave or parts which form the barrel or container Serial No. 6 25,5 88. (No model.)

and is also provided with means, hereinafter described, for raising or lowering it. On the upper surface of this platform B is provided a ring C, lwhich is either formed integral with the platform or attached thereto, as may be desired. I, however, prefer to attach the ring C to-the platform B.

Extending upward from the platform B is a series of uprights or supporters D, which are fastened at their lower end in any suitable manner to said platform. At the upper end of the uprights D a ring D' is fastened in any suitable manner, the diameter of this ring being such as to gage the number of staves employed or necessary to employ in-constructv provided with two cams E2 E2, to which are fastened the loose ends of cable G. Pulleys E3 E3 are provided at the upper end of the upright for guiding the cable G during the operation of the machine. A ratchet e is pro vided, connected to one of the uprights F, and is so located as to engage with the lever E during its downward movement and hold said lever in proper position after the cable has performed its function of tightening or contracting the upper ends of the staves.

II represents a head-supporter which is adjustably secured in shaft b', so as to be locked at any predetermined distance to support the head of the cask when placing said head in position to be engaged and held by the chime of the staves.

J represents a bilge-supporter which is contractible and eXpansible, according as it is desiredto either primarily set up the staves in position or to support the staves after they are set up and during the contraction of their upper end by means of the cable G. This bilge-supporter is constructed as shown more clearly in the drawings, Figs. V, VI, and VII, and consists of an upper disk J, carrying downwardlyprojected pins j j, a lower disk J', provided with curved slots j j', and slidable segments K, slotted at 7o and IOO adapted to receive the said pinsjj. The upper surface of the lower disk J is recessed radially to constitute a guideway for the arms of the segments K. The pinsjj, being fixed to the upper disk J and depending therefrom, are adapted to engage the slots 7.3, formed in the segments, and also the curved slots j' j in the lower plate J Hence the rotation of the upper disk will move the free ends of the pins in the curved slots of the opposite or lower disk and simultaneously move the slotted segments radially, thereby advancing or retracting them, according to the direction of movement of said disk.

The manner of revolving the disk J is as follows: At the lower end of shaft b a bevelgear b2 is provided which meshes with a bevelgear b3, which is mounted on shaft b. At the other or outer end of shaft ZJ' a lever B is provided, by means of which the said lever is oseillated in one direction or the other, according as it is desired to expand or contract the bilge-suliporter J or the segments K, it being understood, of course, that at the upper end of shaft b the disk J is securely attached, and hence revolves or oscillates with said shaft.

The operation of my device is as follows: In placing the staves in position it is first necessary to elevate the platform B, place a trussring C thereon and outside of the supporting flange-rim C, the bilge-supporter being meanwhile contracted and the head-supporterlowered or dropped. The staves are now set up in the basket formed by the uprights D and the ring D', said basket holding the staves in proper rela-tion to each other and 'gagin g their number so as to form the proper cask. After the basket D D' is properly filled with staves the platform B is lowered. This brings the bilge-supporter J at the proper point to support the staves at the bilge or wider part and prevent them from staggering orbuckling, it being understood, of course, that the bilgesupporter has first been expanded by means of the lever B', which operates the disk J The head-supporter 1I is now elevated and locked in such elevated position in any suitable manner-such, for instance, as the manner shown .in Figs. VIII and IX, which is a well-known bayonet joint or lock. The head is now placed in position upon the supporter H and the cable G is looped around the upper end of the staves. The lever or handle E is now brought downward, which action tightens the cable G, by means of the cams E2, and the upper ends of the staves are contracted and the joints forced together around the head. A hoop is now placed over the upper ends of the staves and driven thereon and the cable loosened and the keg or container removed, with the truss-hoop C' still remaining on the opposite end. Thus it will be seen that when the container or keg is removed from the machine it is a formed container and is ready for the firing or setting process.

I have shown in the drawings a lever L for elevating or depressing the platform B but I do not wish to limit myself to thisconstruction, inasmuch as this elevating and depressing may be accomplished in other ways, as may also the other different movements of the machine.

. IVhat I claim isl. In a machine for setting up and trussing kegs or the like, the combination with a vertically-movable platform, of a head-supporter also vertically movable and a bilge-supporter eXpansible and contractible, substantially as shown and described.

2. In a barrel-machine of the character described, the combination of a lower supporting-platform, an intermediate bilge-supporter adapted to be contracted or expanded, a headsupporter vertically adjustable, and a cable for surrounding the upper edge of the keg or barrel, said cable being operated so as to draw together the upper ends of the container and hold them in position until hooped.

In testimony whereof I sign this specification, in the presence of two witnesses, this 27 th day of January, 1897.

LOUIS M. GREIF.

Witnesses W. E. DONNELLY, ELLA E. TILDEN. 

